In a major step towards realising the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence production, Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath on Friday flagged off the first batch of BrahMos missiles manufactured at the BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility Centre in Lucknow. The facility, inaugurated virtually in May 2025, is a key component of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor and has become operational within just five months of launch.
Addressing the event, Shri Rajnath Singh described the BrahMos missile as more than just a weapon, calling it a “symbol of India’s growing indigenous capabilities.” He highlighted that the supersonic cruise missile, equipped with an advanced guided system and traditional warhead, has evolved into the backbone of the Indian Armed Forces. “Every inch of Pakistan’s territory is now within the reach of BrahMos,” the Defence Minister declared, recalling Operation Sindoor as “proof that victory has become our habit.”
The Minister emphasised that India’s defence strength today serves as both a security shield and a testament to its industrial growth. “Achievements like BrahMos prove that ‘Made in India’ is no longer just a slogan but a global brand,” he said. Noting that BrahMos Aerospace recently signed contracts worth ₹4,000 crore with two countries, he said Lucknow would soon emerge as a hub of defence knowledge and technology, with an expected annual turnover of ₹3,000 crore and ₹500 crore in GST revenue.
Built on a 200-acre site at a cost of ₹380 crore, the Lucknow facility is designed to produce around 100 missile systems every year. Shri Rajnath Singh underlined that the project is not just a strategic asset but also a source of large-scale employment and regional development. He stressed the importance of developing indigenous supply chains for defence production, warning against dependence on foreign suppliers. “We must develop all types of technologies indigenously so that our supply chain remains within India,” he said.
The Defence Minister called for a project roadmap to integrate small entrepreneurs into the defence ecosystem, asserting that the success of the UP Defence Industrial Corridor would depend on the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises alongside large manufacturers. “UP will not only become a manufacturing hub but also a new epicentre of innovation and employment,” he added.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hailed the BrahMos as “a missile of Aatmanirbharta” and thanked the Prime Minister and Defence Minister for enabling Lucknow to play a central role in India’s defence self-reliance journey. He noted that over 15,000 youths have already gained employment through the Defence Corridor and that the missiles produced in Lucknow symbolise “both security and prosperity” for the nation.
The BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility Centre, one of the most significant projects under the UP Defence Industrial Corridor, now carries out the entire process of assembly, integration, and testing indigenously. The event also saw the inauguration of the Booster Building, live demonstrations of the booster docking process, and presentations on airframe, avionics, and warhead systems underscoring India’s steady march toward becoming a global leader in defence manufacturing.
